Donald Louis Gardner

WAYNESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - Donald Louis Gardner age 74 of Waynesville, North Carolina passed away on December 2, 2017 at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He was surrounded by the love of his family and friends after a courageous battle for 9+ years with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Don was born in Port Saint Joe, Florida on March 4, 1943, a son of the late Nelson Louis Gardner and Cassa Fay Gardner. He was a 1961 graduate of Port Saint Joe High School. He was Vice President of the class, a band member, and an outstanding basketball player. Shortly after graduation in 1962, he began working and living with the Conroy family in Davenport, Florida. Don began his lifelong career in 1968 with Florida Power Corporation/Progress Energy. He retired after 35 years. He served in the Florida National Guard for 6 years. He lived in Haines City, Florida until he moved to Waynesville, North Carolina in 2015. He was involved in the community, a member of NorthRidge Church, Northeast Polk County Historical Society and always participated in his children's and grandchildren's activities. His hobbies included fishing and hunting. But first and foremost he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Preceeding him in death was a sister, Linda Fay Smith He is survived by his wife of 52 years Sharon Cook Gardner and three children: Daughters , Mary Fair Weldon of Tallahassee, Florida and Lesley Lott of Frostproof , Florida ; Son, Darin Gardner and his wife Elisabeth Gardner of Homosassa, Florida; Three grandsons, Dalton Lott of Frostproof, Florida, Cole Weldon and Andrew Weldon of Tallahassee, Florida; Sister, Diane Mayhann and husband Jaime, Howard's Creek; brothers, Herbert Gardner , Port Saint Joe, Florida and Lloyd Gardner and wife Rita of Howard's Creek: many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm at NorthRidge Church in Haines City, Florida, with Dr. David Myers and Dr. Walt Draughon officiating. Kathy A. Prince a very special friend will also speak. The family will receive friends one hour before the Celebration of Life. Following the service a reception will be held at the home of Kathy A. Prince. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to NorthRidge Church, 2250 FL-17, Haines City, FL 33844; First Baptist Church, 3634 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751; Northeast Polk County Historical Society, P.O. Box 4113, Haines City, FL 33845.